Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of September 23, 2019
Well, theatre season is in full swing. So many places have launched their seasons, #JFL42 is in full swing, even the Toronto Biennial of Art has performances for you to check out (although, admittedly it’s a pretty difficult website to navigate). There is just so much art happening in Toronto. It makes me a happy camper.
We’ve collected some of what’s up for offer this week and it’s here for you below. And, in case you’re curious, I have highlighted the things in red that makes me wish there were several versions of me and unlimited childcare in this world so I could just spend all my time enjoying art always…
Already Reviewed by MoT:
Actually (Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St). by Anna Ziegler (Harold Green Jewish Theatre / Obsidian Theatre). Finding their way as freshmen at Princeton, Amber and Tom spend a night together that alters the course of their lives. They agree on the drinking, they agree on the attraction, but consent is foggy, and if unspoken, can it be called consent? Anna Ziegler investigates gender and race politics, our desire to fit in and the three sides to every story. Opens Sep 14 and runs to Sep 29, $15-$78.50.
Show Info
Alegria (Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Rd W). Cirque du Soleil reinterprets its 1994 show with new acrobatics, visual design and musical arrangements. Led by an intangible wind of change, the show tells the story of an emerging movement that strives to shake the established order, instilling hope and renewal to bring light to a world in perfect harmony. Opens Sep 12 and runs to Dec 1, see website for schedule. $59-$290.
Show Info
The Band’s Visit (Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St). by David Yazbek and Itamar Moses (Mirvish). In this joyously offbeat story, set in a town that’s way off the beaten path, a band of musicians arrive lost, out of the blue. Under the spell of the desert sky, and with beautiful music perfuming the air, the band brings the town to life in unexpected and tantalizing ways. Even the briefest visit can stay with you forever. Opens Sep 17 and runs to Oct 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $49-$175.
Show Info
Betrayal. (Young Center for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House). by Harold Pinter. (Soulpepper Theatre). An adulterous affair is unpacked in reverse chronology to examine many different kinds of betrayal. Previews Aug 28- Sep 3; Sep 4 – Sep 22, see website for times. $38-$98.
Show Info
The Book of Life (Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St). Canadian Stage, Volcano Theatre and Why Not Theatre present a play by Odile Gakire Katese. Rwandan artist/humanitarian Using letters written by survivors of the Rwandan genocide, music and projections, this drama presents an alternative memory of the tragedy and offers hope and a humane way to forgive and move forward. Previews from Sep 17, opens Sep 19 and runs to Sep 29, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $49-$79.
Show Info
The Heidi Chronicles (Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St). This comedy follows a woman from 1960s teen to 80s career woman while exploring feminism, friendship and social change. Opens Sep 20 and runs to Oct 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, Sun pwyc.
Show Info
And Everything Else:
A Streetcar Named Desire. (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane). A delusional Southern belle moves in with her sister and her brutal husband. Previews from Sep 21, opens Sep 27 and runs to Oct 13, see website for schedule. $38-$98.
Show Info
Broken Branches ( (Aki Studio, 585 Dundas St E) by Lorene Stanwick (CreateTruth Productions in Association with Workman Arts), directed by Philip McKee. What happens when sibling conflict crosses a line? Three stories are woven together to explore sibling abuse. Previews from Sep 17, opens Sep 19 and runs to Sep 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$30, preview pwyc.
Show Info
Cabbagetown Comedy (Social Smiths Studio, 574 Parliament, Toronto) Stand-up by Rush Kazi, Emily Poulin, Velvet Wells, Michelle Coburn, Lori McIntyre and Darcia Armstrong. With host Robert Watson, plus the Name That Cabbage game. Sept 26, 7:30 pm. $10.
Show Info
Chanty’s Tranniversary Party (Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St W.) JFL42 and QAPD present: Chanty Marostica celebrates coming out as transgender w/ fellow comics Jade Niles Craig, Aidan O’Loughlin, Kez Vicario-Robinson, Lily Makowski, Sarah Ashby, Tamara Shevon & Rush Kazi. Tuesday Sept 24 11 pm. $20, advance $15.
Show Info
The Funniest Show On The Danforth (The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth Ave) Comedy Nuggets presents a comedy/variety show featuring Danish Anwar, DUO DAD, Anesti Daniels, Thurka Gunaratnam and Chris Sandiford. Hosted by Luke Lynndale. September 28, 8 pm. $15. Second floor.
Show Info
The Glass Menagerie. (Village Playhouse, 2190E Bloor W.) Village Players presents the Tennessee Williams, directed by Victoria Shepherd. Sep 6-28, 8pm, mat Sun 2pm, see website for schedule. $24, srs $20 (Wed/Thurs/Sun only), under 30 $20.00, group of 10 or more: $20.00 (must be paid in advance; buy 15 tickets, get the 16th free)
Show Info
Groundswell Festival Of New Works (Ernest Balmer Studio, 9 Trinity Street #315, The Distillery District) Nightwood Theatre presents its annual festival of contemporary women’s theatre features readings from Nightwood’s 2018/19 Write From The Hip playwrights: Lara Arabian, Catt Filippov, Katherine Gauthier, Tabia Lau and Anyika Mark. This year’s festival also features a reading of the new play Children Of Fire, by Shahrzad Arshadi and Anna Chatterton. Sep 23-28, Mon-Thu from 6 pm, Fri from 6:30 pm, Sat: The Feminist Un-Conference from 10:30 am-4:30pm. All readings are pwyc.
Show Info
Knives in Hens (Coal Mine Theatre, 1454 Danforth Ave). Coal Mine Theatre presents a play by David Harrower. This drama deals with a relationship triangle in a rural setting and a woman’s internal quest to find out what she wants from life. Previews from Sep 22, opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 13, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $47.50-$55.50, preview/rush $25.
Show Info
Life in a Box (Grand Canyon, 2 Osler St). By Landon Doak & Matthew Finlan (Bad Hats Theatre). Weed-filled, sci-fi musical adventure about two friends living in a basement apartment in Toronto. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Sep 28, Tue-Fri 8 pm, Sat 7 & 10 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25.
Show Info
The Long Farewell: Game Of Thrones Burlesque VIII (Revival Bar, 783 College) Scarlett LaFlamme presents the final instalment of the GOT-inspired burlesque show. Scarlett LaFlamme presents the final instalment of the GOT-inspired show. Sep 28 at 7 pm. $25-$40.
Show Info
No Foreigners (Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St W). Created by fu-GEN Theatre/Hong Kong Exile/Theatre Conspiracy. This interdisciplinary collaboration by the companies and playwright David Yee considers Chinese shopping malls as racialized spaces of cultural creation and clash. Opens Sep 17 and runs to Sep 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (and Sep 18 at 2 pm). $28, stu/srs $18.
Show Info
Piaf/Dietrich: A Legendary Affair (CAA Theatre 651 Yonge St). Mirvish presents a musical drama that explores the fascinating friendship between show business legends. Opens Sep 17 and runs to Dec 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$129.
Show Info
The Rocky Horror Show (Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle) by Richard O’Brien (Hart House Theatre). Staging of the cult-classic musical salute to B-movies and sci-fi. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Oct 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 12 at 2 pm. $28, srs $20, stu $15.
Show Info
There is No Word for Wilderness (Earl Bales Park, 4169 Bathurst St). A land-based story walk brought to life with mask, puppetry and live music reflects one woman’s journey of getting lost to get found as nature reveals itself to her. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Sep 28, Tue-Sat 6 pm (no show Sep 27; rain dates Sep 22 & 29). Free.
Show Info
The Stranger 2.0 (Secret Location). A mysterious guide takes you on an urban journey in one of two walkabout productions. Designed for two audience members to explore at a time with performers who emerge from the crowds and an exciting new virtual reality component developed by toaster lab. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Sep 29, Mon-Fri from 5-9:30 pm, Sat-Sun from 3-7:30 pm. $50, VIP $90.
Show Info
Toronto Queer Theatre Festival (Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley) The festival formerly known as Gay Play Day presents works by Toronto-based LGBTQ+ playwrights, including Steven Elliott Jackson, Lawrence Aronovitch, Sky Gilbert, Jade Walker, A.B. Neilly, Erika Reesor and others. Sep 27-28, Fri-Sat 7 and 9 pm, mat Sat 3 pm. $15.
Show Info
Turandot (Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W) by Giacomo Puccini (Canadian Opera Company). A man plays a deadly game to win the princess’ hand. Performed in Italian with English surtitles. Opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 27, see website for schedule. $35-$350 (specially priced $22 tickets are available after September 3 for people under the age of 30).
Show Info
Union Dance: Open Studio (Union Station, 65 Front St W) The Union and Fall for Dance North present a dance studio without walls. Catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative working processes of Fall for Dance North’s festival artists as they lead a professional class or rehearse and refine their work before they hit the stage. Sep 23-25, Mon 1-8:30 pm, Tue 11 am-6 pm, Wed 10 am-3 pm. Free.
Show Info
Yaga (Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave). by Kat Sandler (Tarragon). Genre-bending dark comedy thriller that brings a murder investigation face-to-face with the Baba Yaga witch fable. Previews from Sep 17, opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$70. MainSpace.
Show Info
Some listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.